Kevin Martin added 18 points for Minnesota and Dante Cunningham and J.J. Barea combined to score 22 off the bench.

The Timberwolves (23-22) have won five of their last six to move above .500 for the first time since they were 8-7 after a victory on Nov. 23.

Al-Farouq Aminu had 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Pelicans, who had a three-game winning streak snapped.

Anthony Davis was held out of the New Orleans lineup because of soreness in his left index finger, which he dislocated in Tuesday's win over Cleveland.

Pelicans coach Monty Williams said before the game that sitting the former No. 1 pick just made sense.

"We could've held him out last night, but he was so adamant about playing that I let him go," Williams said, according to the team's website. "Now we have to be his brains and make sure he doesn't hurt his finger more. But he should be ready for our next game."

The Timberwolves led wire-to-wire, but never by more than 13 points -- and that didn't come until the fourth quarter.

Love scored the first six points of an 8-0 run to open the fourth quarter that extended Minnesota's lead from five points to 13 with 10 minutes left.

The Pelicans were never closer than eight the rest of the way, and Minnesota coach Rick Adelman said he was pleased with how his team held on against a pesky Pelicans unit.

"Shorthanded, they did a nice job of controlling it and making sure we didn't go on any runs. But we grinded," said Adelman. "It's a nice win."

Earlier, New Orleans shot under 30 percent in the first quarter and the Timberwolves carried a 23-16 lead into the second. It was 47-35 at halftime.

Game Notes

The teams combined to go 6-for-41 on 3-pointers, with New Orleans making just 2-of-21 ... Cunningham had 12 points and Barea scored 10 ... The Timberwolves remain at home to play Memphis on Friday ... The Pelicans start a four-game homestand Saturday against Chicago.